Apparatus for setting up cartons



July 10, .1951

L BACK APPARATUS FOR SETTING UP CARTONS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 30,1949 M W TA 0 m 6 mm a A m. a 4 w a, w m y a I? J 6 7 z 2 Q 9 J a J. v 56 w. J 3 T M 0 7 m m r -k i I a (m 1 a July 10, 1951 L. BACK 2,560,405

APPARATUS FOR SETTING UP CARTONS,

Filed March 30, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 21a Z9 Z1 IN V EN TOR. LEONA/a0546K,

BY dllumw ATTORNEYS.

July 10, 1951 Filed March 30, 1949 L. BACK APPARATUS FOR SETTING UPCARTONS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. {Ea/W 0 Back,

QMWM ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 10, 1951 APPARATUS FOR SETTING UP CARTON S Leonard Back,Middletown, Ohio, assignor to The Interstate Folding Box Company,Middletown, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 30, 1949,Serial No. 84,445

18 Claims.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of a simple andinexpensive apparatus for the erection of one-piece cartons and theholding of the erected structure in position during filling and prior tothe interengagement or securing of flaps which will maintain the cartonas a complete closure for its contents. My apparatus is especiallyuseful for one-piece cartons of a type having a main panel, side and endwalls articulated to the panel, bellows folding corner connectingportions between the respective ends of the side and end walls, and aplurality of flaps articulated to the outer edges of the side and endwalls and coacting, in the closed container, to form a sixth wall.Cartons of this type do not maintain their erected condition until thefolding over of the last mentioned flaps and the securing of them toform the sixth wall. While the utility of my invention is not confinedthereto, I will describe its use in connection with a type of cartondescribed in the copending application of Robert M. Bergstein, SerialNo. 62,257, filed November 27, 1948, and entitled Lined Box Structuresand Method of Making Them.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a new and simplifiedmeans for insuring the positioning of the folded corner connecting websinside the erected carton and lying against predetermined walls, so asnot to interfere with the filling of the contents into the cartons.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a simple mechanism aseries of rapid but correlated operations in setting up cartons of thisclass, and to provide simple but positively acting mechanism forcorrelating these operations.

These and other objects of the invention, which will be set forthhereinafter or will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon readingthese specifications, I accomplish by that construction and arrangementof parts of which I shall now describe an exemplary embodiment.Reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my mechanism with certain parts cut away, andis related to the line l-l of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus taken along thesection line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a partial vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of one of my corner web engagingmeans.

Figure 5 is a partial elevational view showing the face of my plunger,and is related to the line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus, similar to thatof Figure 2 but showing the plunger at the start of an operating stroke.

Figure 7 is a partial elevational view of the end of a pull-rod member.

Figure 8 is an elevational view of a cam plate and latch mechanismemployed in controlling the lower plunger.

Figure 9 is an edge view thereof.

Figure 10 is a partial sectional view related to the showing of Figure6, but illustrating the position of the parts at the completion of thestroke of the upper plunger.

Figure 11 is a similar view after the upward stroke of the upperplunger, showing the lower plunger maintained in its downward position.

Figure 12 is a partial perspective view showing the relationship of acarton blank to my mechanism at the start of the setting up operation.

Figure 13 is a similar view illustrative of the initial folding.

Figures 14, 15 and 16, related to the section line l4--I4 of Figure 13,are successive sectional views illustrative of the folding of the blankduring the descent of the upper plunger.

Figure 17 is a partial perspective view showing the relationship of thecarton to the 'machine when thecarton is in the set-up but unclosedcondition and is ready for filling.

Figure 18 is a similar view showing the relationship of the carton tothe machine when the carton is in filled and closed condition.

Figure 19 is a similar view showing the filled and closed carton asreleased by the upward movement of the lower plunger.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, my machine comprises a base4 and an upper platform 6 which is supported above the base. This mayconveniently be done by passing bolts l through the base and platform atthe corners of each, and surrounding the bolts with hollow metallicsleeves 8 located between the base and platform and serving to separatethem the required distance.

The platform 6 is provided with a cut-out 9 of a size and shaperesponding to the main panel of a carton to be set up on the machine,and constituting a female die; and a lower plunger element III ismounted to operate vertically within this opening. Various mountings maybe employed. The mounting which I prefer is illustrated in Figure 3 andcomprises a metal plate I I attached to the base 4 and provided at itscorners with upstanding hollow sleeve members l2. The plate II is ofsubstantially the same size as the lower plunger I0; and the lowerplunger is provided at its corners with downwardly depending rod-likemembers l3 which have a sliding fit in the axial perforations of thesleeve members IZ, so that the lower plunger is guided for verticalreciprocation. Compression springs l5 surrounding the sleeve membersengage between the plate H and the lower plunger It] so as to urge thelower plunger upwardly. The movements of the Near the rear ends of thesebrackets I pivot as.

at l8 and IS a pair of bar elements 20 and 2|. As shown in Figure 2, theupper ends of these bar elements are angularly disposed asvv at 2m,

and the vertices of the angles of thetwo bars 20 and 2| areinterconnected by an element 22 which, in a hand operated machine, willserve as an operating handle.

The outer ends of the angularly related portions 26a and 2|a of the barelements (see Figure are pivoted to brackets 23 and 24 which areattached to a member 25 serving as an upper plunger. The relationship ofthe parts is such that when the bar elements 26 and 2| are swungdownwardly on their pivots l8 and IS, the upper plunger element 25 willcoincide with the lower plunger element Ill. The upper plunger elementis substantially congruent to the lower plunger element, and both arevery slightly smaller than the main panel of the carton to be erected.However, corner portions of the upper plunger 25 are slightly recessedas shown at 25a.

To urge the bar elements and upper plunger to their upper positions, Iprovide upstanding elements 26 and 21' on the brackets l6 and I1, andengage tension springs 28 and29 between the upper ends of these elementsand ears 30 and 3| on a shaft 32 extending across between the lower endsof the bar elements 20 and 2|. Stops to limit the motion of the barelements to a substantially vertical position are provided, and thesemay conveniently take the form of angular abutments 33 and 34 welded orotherwise attached to the brackets l6 and I1.

Referrin to Figures 8 and 9, I provide a segment-shaped cam plate 35,having cam opening 36 therein; and I pivot this cam plate to a bracket3'! on the plate H, as shown in Figures 2, 3, 6, l0 and 11. The camopening in the plate has a cam surface 38 terminating downwardly in arecess 39 for a purpose hereinafter described. The lower plunger I0 isprovided with a downwardly depending bracket 46, having a laterallyextending pin 4| engaging in the cam opening 36 of the cam plate 35 andacted upon by the cam surface thereof. A strap element 42 is welded orotherwise fastened at its ends to the cam plate 35 and extends acrossthe cam opening 36 as shown in Figure 8. It lies on the side of the camplate opposite the bracket 40. The strap element 42 carries a laterallyextending pin 43 which is connected by a tension spring 44 to a bracket45 on the base 4. The spring tends to urge the cam plate 35 in aclockwise direction, as shown in Figures 2, 6, and 11.

An elongated pull rod 46 is pivoted to the shaft 32 which interconnectsthe lower ends of the bar elements 26 and 2|. This pull rod extendsforwardly in the machine beneath the platform 6. As shown in Figure '7,its forward end has a downwardly extending enlargement providing ashoulder or detent 41. This detent is adapted under certaincircumstances to engage the laterally extending pin 43 on the strapelement 42 hereinabove described. But with the cam plate in its uprightposition as illustrated in Figures 2 and 6, the forward end of the pullrod is supported by a pin 48 on the cam plate. When the bar elements 20,2| lie in the position shown in Figure 2, the detent 41 of the pull rod.46 will lie to the right of the pin 43 as will be evident. If the barelements 26, 2| are swung downwardly as in Figure 6, the pull rod.46will move to the left, but because the forward end of the pull rod issupported by the .pin 48, the detent 41 will not engage the pin 43 butwill pass beyond it. to the left. A continuation of the downwardmovement of the bar elements 26, 2|, as produced, for example, by a pullon the handle 22, will cause the upper plunger 25 to engage the lowerplunger l6 and depress it against the compression of the springs |5.When the lower plunger is so depressed, as illustrated in Figure 10, thecam plate 35, hitherto maintained in upright position by the engagementof the pin 4| with its cam surface 38, will be r0- tated clockwise untilthe pin 4| engages in the recess 39 of the cam plate. This looks thelower plunger ID in its lowermost position. If the bar elements 26, 2|are now swung upwardly, the upper plunger 25 will be raised; but thelower plunger It] will remain in a depressed position, as illustrated inFigure 11. The cam plate pin 48 has been swung downwardly, and no longersupports the forward end of the pull rod 46. As a consequence, the rodcan slide forwardly, resting upon the pin 43 until the detent 4Tpassesto the right of that pin.

However, if the operating handle 22 is now grasped, and the bar elements26, 2| swung slightly downwardly, the detent on the pull rod 46 engagingthe pin 43 will move the cam plate 35 in a counterclockwise direction.This will serve to unlock the lower plunger element I0, by releasing thepin 4| from the recess 39. The rising motion of the lower plunger ID asproduced by the compression springs |5 will nevertheless be controlledby the engagement of the pin 4| with the cam surface 38, so that theoperator of the machine can control this rising motion by means of thehandle 22. The relationship of parts is such that while a full downwardswing of the bar elements 26, 2| is necessary to cause the upper plunger25'to contact and depress the lower plunger ID to its lowermostposition, whereupon the bar elements can be raised to their uppermostposition with the lower plunger remaining depressed, a slight subsequentforward or downward movement of the handle 22 and a return of it to itsuppermost position will release the lower plunger l6, and control itsrise.

Adjacent the opening 9 in the platform 6, I provide elements indicatedin Figure 1 at 49, 56, 5| and 52. These elements are conveniently formedfrom angle stock. As shown in Figure 4, their bases 49a may be providedwith slots 53 for adjustment on screws or bolts which hold them to theplatform 6. Their upstanding pins 4% are provided with shoulders 54having a substantially vertical portion, a horizontal extending portionfor supporting a blank and downwardly slanting front portions 55. Theseelements are so disposed on the platform 6 that their downwardlyslanting portions 55 substantially coincide with the diagonal scorelines in the corner connecting webs of blanks such as hereinafterdescribed. The shoulders 54 are so located as to engage the outer edgeportions of these corner connecting webs so that, among other functions,the elements 49, 53, 5| and 52 provide a means for locating cartonblanks above the platform 6 in a proper position to be acted upon by theplungers. Also, at suitable positions spaced from the opening 9 in theplatform 6, I provide hold-down elements for end wall flaps of theblank. These hold-down elements are indicated at 55 and and comprisearms 56a and 57a raised above the platform and extending in thedirection of the opening 9, as will be clear from Figures 1 and 3. Thebases of these elements may be provided with slots for adjusting theirpositions upon loosening the screws or bolts which hold them to theplatform. One form of carton blank with which my machine may beemplciyed is shown in Figures 12, 13 and 17 to 19. Dot-dash lines inthese figures indicate lines of score in a paperboard element. Theexemplary blank comprises a main panel 58, end walls 59 and 60articulated to the ends of the main panel, and side walls Bi and 62articulated to its side edges, spective ends of the side and end wallsthere are diagonally scored corner connecting webs 83, 66, t5 and 66. Apair of inner closure flaps l5! and E58 are articulated to the end Walls59 and till. An intermediate closure fiap 69 is articulated to the sidewall 62 and an outer closure fiap i0 is articulated to the side wall 61.In the particular blank these flaps are generally triangular information; but the flaps 69 and'lil are so shaped as to lap the flaps Eland 68 when the box is in the closed condition. Tongues H and l2 may beformed on the flap 69 for engagement in slots 13 and 14 in the innerclosure flaps; and the outer closure flaps may be provided with a tongue15 for engagement in a slot '56 substantially coinciding with the scoreline of the flap 69.

The main panel 58 of the carton may be provided with a window 11, and asingle sheet of lining material, such as a grease-proof glassine paperor a transparent film may be applied to the blank so as to cover themain panel, the side and end walls, the corner connecting webs and suchportions of the closure flaps 61, 63, 69 and "H! as will result in acompletely lined box.

The carton illustrated herein is one suitable for setting up on mymachine, but the utility of my machine is not confined thereto. Thespecific shapes of the closure flaps and corner connecting webs are nota limitation on the utility of this invention. While I have described amachine constructed to set up a carton of a particular size, it will beunderstood that if desired adjustable or replaceable parts may beprovided to adapt the machine to cartons of dilferent sizes. Also, whileI have described a machine intended for hand operation in setting upcartons as an adjunct to hand filling operations for the cartons, powermay be applied to the machines and, if desired, automatically actingmeans, known in the art, may be provided to supply the blanks to themachines.

The operation of my machine in setting up cartons will now be described.The carton is placed on the machine as illustrated in Figure 12, whereit is located by the elements 49, 56, 5| and 52, and supported by theshoulders of these elemnts somewhat above the platform 6. The outer endsof the inner closure flaps 61 and 68 are engaged beneath the hold-downs58 and 51. In its uppermost position the plunger H3 underlies the mainpanel 58 of the carton blank. In actual practice," as illustrated inFigures 2 and 6,. the lower plunger it has an upper position slightlyabove the top surface of the platform 6. 7

With the carton in the position shown in Figure 12, the handle 22 of themachine is grasped and pulled forwardly to lower the plunger 25 Betweenthe re- 6 into contactwith the main panel 58 of the car ton. A furtherdepression of the upper plunger 25 will move the main carton panel 58downwardly into contact with the lower plunger element I!) where it willbe securely clamped be tween the two plunger elements. This clamp-- ingaction permits a sharp folding along thescore lines which outline themain body panel 38 as the carton blank is moved downwardly into thefemale die.

But before the carton blank fully enters the female die, its cornerconnecting webs ride down the downwardly slanting portions 55 of theelements 59, 59, 5! and 52. This starts the corner connecting portionsbending along their diagonal score lines, and also starts an upwardfolding movement of the side walls 6! and 62. But by reason of thehold-downs 56 and 51 engaging the flaps El and 58, the upward foldingmovement of the end walls 59 and 60 is delayed. Thus the diagonallyscored corner connecting webs 63, 64, 65 and es begin to foldessentially behind the ends of the upper plunger element 25, and engagebeyond the ends of this element in the recesss 25a before the upwardfolding movement of the end walls 59 and 6!] begins or has progressed toany great extent.

As shown in Figure 14, after the main panel has been clamped between thelower plunger element It! and the upper plunger element 25, a

continued downward movement of the latter depresses the lower plungerelement still further. Side and end edge portions of the opening 9 inthe platform 6 engage and fold inwardly the side and end Walls 53, 60,6| and 62. The lower plunger element In ultimately is depressed to aposition well below the top surface of the platform 6, as shown inFigure 15, and the side and end walls of the box are folded to fullyupright positions. Whereas the side walls 6| and 62 begin to fold firstwith concurrent folding of the corner connecting Webs as shown in Figure13, while the flaps 6? and 58 are held by the holddowns 56 and 5?, asthe plunger elements ID and 25 move further downwardly together, theflaps 67 and 58 move inwardly beneath the hold-down arms until theirends are reached, whereupon they pull out from under the hold-downs. Thehold-downs may be adjusted to increase or decrease the delaying action.The corner connecting webs fold themselves completely and lie in therecesses 25a at the end of the upper plunger element, and the boxassumes the erected but unclosed condition illustrated in Figures 16 and17.

The lower plunger element in is locked in its lowermost position by thecam element described above. At this stage the handle 22 may be raised,swinging the upper plunger 25 out of the erected carton and carrying itout of the way above the platform 6. By reason of the frictionalengagement of the side and end Walls of the carton with the edges of theopening 9 in the platform (5, the box will remain in the position shownin Figures 16 and 17. The box may now be filled with its contents by theoperator while held in the recess in the platform 6 in the erected butnon-self-sustaining condition, as will be evident. Boxes of this generaltype are particularly useful for food products, such as foods to befrozen,

meat products and the like, but their use is by no means so limited.However, it will be noted that 11hr: bnv is: ma ntaine in erec ed c ditin in a convenient condition for filling. After the introduction of thecontents, the box is closed,

as illustrated in Figure 18. This is accomplished with the particularexemplary embodiment by... folding over the inner closure flaps '61 and68, thereuponv folding over the intermediateflap Eli and engaging thetongues 1| and 12 in the slots 13 and .14. After this, the outer closureflap H! is folded over upon the intermediate flap and the tongue 15 istucked into the slit l6. Thebox is now fullyclosed and fullyself-sustaining.

During the filling operation the handle 22 has been at its highestposition, the pull rod 46 is in its forward position, and the detent 4'!hereinabove described is in apositionto catch and. engage thepin 43 on.the strap of the cam plate. A slow. forward, pull on the handle 22first accomplishes the releaseof the lower plunger element [0, andafterward the return of the handle controls (by. means of the camsurface 38) the riseof this plunger. The plunger rises, as hereinaboveindicated, toa position somewhat above the top surface of the platform 6thus releasing thebox, as shown in Figure 19, so that it may readily beremoved from the machine. When the handle 22 has been returned to itsuppermost position, the machine is set for the reception of anotherblank for erection. The new blank is positioned by means of the elements49, 50, and 52 and the operations hereinabove described are repeated.

Modifications may be made in my invention without departing from thespirit of it. Having thus described my invention in an exemplaryembodiment,what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

1. In a, machine for setting up cartons of a type having a main panel,side and end walls articulated thereto, and diagonally scored cornerconnecting webs between the ends of the side and end walls respectively,a platform having an opening responding in size and shape to said mainpanel, whereby folding of the side and end walls withrespect to saidmain panel will occur as said main panelv is depressed into saidopening, and means on saidplatform for engaging and locating a cartonblank with its main panel above said opening, said means comprisingelements having shoulders and downwardly extending edges and disposed onsaid platform so that the downwardly. extendingedges substantiallycoincide with the diagonal score lines in the corner connecting webs ofsaid carton blank, said shoulders comprising horizontally extendingportions for supporting the blank in a position above the upper surfaceof the platformv and vertically extending portions for locating the mainpanelof the blank over the opening in said platform, said downwardly.extending edges serving as score-breakers for the diagonal score linesin said corner connecting webs.

2. In a machine for setting up cartons of the type having a main panel,side and end walls articulated thereto, and diagonally scored cornerconnecting webs between the ends of the side and end walls respectively,a platform having an opening responding in size and shape to said mainpanel, whereby folding of the side and end walls with respect to saidmain panelwill occur as said main panel is. depressed into said opening,a depressible plunger operating against said main panel from above fordepressing said main panel into said opening, and means on said platformfor engaging and locating a carton blank with its main panel above saidopening, said means comprising elements having. shoulders and downwardlyextending edges and 'disposedon the plat-- 1 Pa ers. i hlemsmessen ers?Md:

formso that the downwardly. extending edges substantially coincide withthe diagonal score lines inthe'cornerconnecting webs of the blank, saidshoulders comprising horizontally extending portions for engagingandlocating the blank in a position above the upper surface of the platformandvertically extending portions for locating the main panelof the blankabove the opening in said platform, said downwardly extending edgesbeing disposed slant-wise and serving asscore-breakers forthe diagonalscore lines in said corner connecting w ebsn 3. In a machine for settingup cartons of the type havinga main panel, side and end wallsarticulated thereto, and diagonally scored corner connecting websbetween the ends of the side and end walls respectively, the platformhaving an opening responding in size and shape to said main panel,whereby folding of the side and end walls with respect to said mainpanel will occur.

as the main panel is depressed into said opening, means for depressingsaid main panel into said opening, means on said platform for engagingand locating a carton blank with its main panel above said opening, saidmeans comprising elements having shoulders and downwardly extendingedges and disposed on the platform soth'at the downwardly extendingedges substantially coincide with the diagonal score lines of the cornerconnecting webs of said'blank, said shoulders comprising horizontallyextending portions for engaging and'supporting the blank in a positionabove the upper surface of' the platform and vertically extendingportions for locating the main panel of the blank over the opening inthe platform, said downwardly extending edges serving as score-breakersfor the diagonal score lines in said corner connecting. webs, and meanson said platform for initially engaging portions of said blank andrestraining the folding of an opposite pair of walls thereof, wherebyduring the depression of said main panel the other opposite walls beginto fold upwardly thereby starting the folding of said corner connectingwebs in a position to lie against the first mentioned pair of oppositewalls.

4. In a machine for setting up cartons of a type having a main panel,ide and end walls articulated thereto, and diagonally scored cornerconnecting webs between the ends of the side and end walls respectively,a platform having an opening responding in size and shape to said mainpanel, whereby folding of the side and end walls with respect to saidmain panel will occur as the main panel is depressed into said opening,a depressible plunger operating against said main panel from above fordepressing said main panel into said opening, means on said platform forengaging and locating a carton blank with its main panel above saidopening, said means comprising elements having shoulders and downwardlyextending edges and disposed on the platform so that the downwardlyextending edges substantailly coincide with the diagonal score lines inthe corner connecting webs of the blank, said shoulders comprisinghorizontally extending portions for engaging and supporting the blank ina position above the upper surface of said platform and verticallyextending portions for locating themain panel of said blank over theopening in said platform, said downwardly extending edges serving asscore-breakers for the diagonal score lines insaid corner connectingwebs, means on said platform for initially. engaging of an opposite pairof walls thereof, whereby during the depression of said main panel, theother opposite walls begin to fold upwardly thereby starting the foldingof said corner connecting webs in a position to lie against the firstmentioned pair of opposite walls, said plunger having recesses at itsends to accept said corner webs in folded condition in a position lyingagainst the first mentioned opposite pair of walls.

5. In a machine for setting up cartons of the type having a main panel,side and end walls articulated thereto, and diagonally scored cornerconnecting webs between the ends of the sid and end walls respectively,a platform having an openin responding in size and shape to said mainpanel, whereby folding of the side and end walls with respect to saidmain panel will occur as the main panel is depressed into said opening,a depressible plunger operating against said main panel from above fordepressin said panel into said opening, means on said platform forengaging and locating a carton blank with its main panel above saidopening, said means comprising elements having shoulders and downwardlyextending edges and disposed on said platform so that the downwardlyextendin edges substantially coincide with the diagonal score lines inthe corner connecting webs of the blank, said shoulders comprisinghorizontally extending portions for engaging and supporting the blank ina position above the upper surface of the platform and verticallyextending portions for locating the main panel of the blank over theopening in said platform, said downwardly extending edges serving asscore-breakers for the diagonal score lines in said corner connectinwebs, means on said platform for initially engaging portions of saidblank and restraining the folding of an opposite pair of walls thereof,whereby during the depression of said main panel the other oppositewalls begin to fold upwardly thereby starting the folding of said cornerconnecting webs in a position to lie against the first mentioned pair ofopposite walls, said upper plunger having recesses at its ends to acceptsaid corner webs in folded condition in a position lying against saidfirst mentioned pair of opposite walls, and a lower plunger elementhaving an upper position slightly above the upper surface of saidplatform but below the plane on which said blank is initially supportedby said supporting elements, said lower plunger being depressible by theaction of said upper plunger to a position below the plane of the uppersurface of said platform, with both plunger elements in clampingrelationship to said main panel.

6. In a machine for setting up cartons of the type having a main panel,side and end walls articulated thereto, and diagonally scored cornerconnecting webs between the ends of the side and end walls respectively,a platform having an opening responding in size and shape to said mainpanel, whereby folding of the side and end walls with respect to saidmain panel will occur as the main panel is depressed into said opening,a depressible plunger operating against said main panel from above fordepressing said panel into said opening, means on said platform forengaging and locating a carton blank with'its main panel above saidopening, said means comprising elements having shoulders and downwardlyextending edges and disposed on said platform so that the downwardlyextending edges substantially coincide with the diagonal score lines inthe corner connecting webs of the blank,

said shoulders comprising horizontally extending portions for engagingand supporting the blank in a position above the upper surface of theplatform and vertically extending portions for 10- cating the main panelof the blank over the opening in said platform, said downwardlyextending edges serving as score-breakers for the diagonal score linesin said corner connectin webs, means on said platform for initiallyengaging portions of said blank and restrainin the folding of anopposite pair of walls thereof, whereby during the depression of saidmain panel the other opposite walls begin to fold upwardly therebystarting the folding of said corner connecting webs in a position to lieagainst the first mentioned pair of opposite walls, said upper plungerhaving recesses at its ends to accept said corner webs in foldedcondition in a position lying against said first mentioned pair ofopposite walls, and a lower plunger element having an upper positionslightly above the upper surface of said platform but below the plane onwhich said blank is initially supported by said supporting elements,said lower plunger being depressible by the action of said upper plungerto a position below the plane of the upper surface of said platform,with both plunger elements in clamping relationship to said main panel,said lower plunger being guided for vertical reciprocation and springpressed toward its upper position and provided with a lock to maintainits lowermost position during withdrawal of the upper plunger from theerected box.

7. The structure claimed in claim 6 including means in connection withthe operating means for the upper plunger for releasing said lock.

8. The structure claimed in claim '7 wherein the locking and releasingmeans for said lower plunger comprises a cam plate pivoted on a basebelow said platform, a bracket on said lower plunger having a laterallyextending pin engaging in a cam Opening in said plate, said cam openinghaving a locking depression for said pin, the connection between saidlocking means and the operating means for said upper plunger being aconnection between said operating means and said cam plate.

9. The structure claimed in claim 7 wherein the locking and releasingmeans for said lower plunger comprises a cam plate pivoted on a basebelow said platform, a bracket on said lower plunger having a laterallyextending pin engaging in a cam opening in said plate, said cam openinghaving a locking depression for said pin, the connection between saidlocking means and the operating means for said upper plunger being aconnection between said operating means and said cam plate, includin apull rod having a detent, a pin in connection with said cam plate to beengaged by said detent, and a support on said cam plate effective toprevent engagement of said detent with said pin excepting when said camplate is in looking position.

10. The structure claimed in claim '7 wherein the locking and releasingmeans for said lower plunger comprises a cam plate pivoted on a basebelow said platform, a bracket on said lower plunger having a laterallyextending pin engaging in a cam opening in said plate, said cam openinghaving a lockin depression for said pin, the connection between saidlockin means and the operating means for said upper plunger being aconnection between said operating means and said cam plate, including apull rod having a .detent, a-pin iniconnection'with said cam plate 1 tobeeengaged 'by' said-detent; and a supporton said -cam plate effectiveto-prevent engagement pin excepting when said of said'detent with saidcam 'plate is in looking position, and spring means for urging'saidcamplate into IOCKIOgpO- sition, the means for operating said upper plungerbeing .a lever means, said pull'rod having:a;connection with said levermeans so as to be; moved thereby,and said cam openinghavinga cam surfaceto control the rate of rise of saidlowerplunger when said lock isreleased.

11. In a device of the character described, a

base,-a platform supported above said base and having an opening-of asize to receive the main :panel of a carton to be erected, a lowerplunger engaging and locking-said pin in the lowermost positionofsaid'lower plunger, and spring means for urging saidcam plate to'locking position.

12. The structureclaimed in claim 11 including an upper plunger, pivotedlever means. for operating said upperplunger, a pullrod pivoted 'to saidlever means and having means-for operating saidcam plate.

13. The structure claimed in claim 12 wherein said camplate' bears apin, said-pull rod is provided witha detent for engaging said pin, andsaid cam plate is provided with an abutment for supporting said pullrodwith said-detent and pin out of engagement when said cam plate is in theposition for the highest movement of-said lower plunger, but inoperativeto preventsaid engagement when said cam plate is in'position forlocking-said lower plunger.

14. Inra machine of the character described-a platform having an openingto'receive a main panel of acar-ton, a lower plunger reciprocating insaid opening, an upper plunger adapted to engage said main panel andthrough itto depress said -lower plunger, means for operating saidupper'plunger to engage saidmain'panel and through it to 'depresssaidlower-plunger, automatically acting locking .means for said lowerplunger in its lowermost position, andrelease means for said lockconnected with the operating means for saidupper plunger-and effectiveon alternate strokes thereof.

15. Ina machine of the character described, a

I platform having an opening therein constituting a female die, meansabove the platform and related to the opening thereinforsupporting outof contact with the platform an unfolded paperboard carton blank of atype having a main panel, side and end walls, diagonally scored cornerconnecting webs at the ends ofsaidside .andend walls and closureflaps-on theouter .edgesof said side and'end walls, means onsaidplatformengaging said blank to retard'initial folding of the saidend.walls, an upper plunger, means for operating said upper plunger soasinitially to depress said blank between said sup.- porting means so asto start an upward folding of the corner connecting portions, the sidewalls and their attached flaps, a retractable lower plunger in saidopening for engaging the oppo- :site:.side;of=xsaid main panel; andsupporting said :mainrpanel. during :a further movement; of said-:upper; plunger in" which ,said 1 side: andend walls 'andsaid. cornerconnecting webs are fully -ed with-said side and end walls lying atleast foldpartially within :said .die, 'said' supporting :meanscomprising elements having shoulders and downwardly extending edges anddisposed on said platform so that the downwardly disposed slanting edgessubstantially'coincide with the dia onal score lines in-the cornerconnecting *webs of :saidblank, said shouldersicomprising horizon-:tally:extending. portions supporting the blank out of contact with theplatform and vertically extending portions forlocating the main :panelofthe blank overtthe' openingin' the platform, said downwardly slantingedges serving as scorebreakers .for the diagonal score lines. in saidcorner connecting webs.

'16. The structure claimed in claim 15.including-:means for locking saidretractable lower plunger in itslowermost position whereby said upperplunger may be withdrawn from the erect- -eol carton leaving the cartonin position in said female die for filling.

1'7.'In aidevice including a support, a plunger and means'for mountingsaid plunger for verticalreciprocation relative to said support, a camplate pivoted to said support and having a cam opening, a bracket onsaid plunger having a laterally extendin pin engaging in said camopening, said cam opening beingshaped to limit the upward movement ofsaid plunger, and having a depression for engaging and locking said pinthe lowermost-position of said plunger, and spring means for urging saidcam plate to locking position, and a pull rod having means for operatingsaid cam plate.

18. In a device including a support, a plunger and means for mountingsaid plunger for vertical reciprocation relative to said support, a camplate pivoted to said support and having a cam opening, a bracket onsaid plunger having a lat- -erally-extending pin engaging in said camopening, ;said cam opening being shaped to limit the upward-movement ofsaid plunger, and having'a depression for engaging and locking said pinthe lowermost; position of said plunger, and spring means-for-urgingsaidcam plate to locking .position, anda pull rod for operating said'camplate,

.said pull rod having .a. detent for engaging said pin;said cam platebeingprovided withan abutment-for supporting said pull rod with saiddetent and pin out of engagement when said cam plate-is in the positionfor the highest movement of said plunger, but inoperative to preventsaid engagement when said cam plate is in position for locking saidplunger.

LEONARD BACK.

REFERENCES CITED The followingreferences are of record in the file ,ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

